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Shenzhou 22

retired

神舟二十二号

Human SpaceflightLEOCOSPAR 2025-272ALaunched 11/25/2025
Admin Edit
Mission & Launch
Launch Mission
Shenzhou 22 Mission
Launch Vehicle
Long March 2F G
Launch Date
11/25/2025
Last Contact
5/29/2026
Orbit & Mass
Orbit Class
LEO
Altitude
392 km
Inclination
41.47 deg
Dry Mass
3,258 kg
Total Mass
8,100 kg
Payload Classification
Mission Type
Human Spaceflight
Payload Category
SS
Payload Class
C
Organizations
Operator
China Manned Space Agency (CMSA)
Manufacturer
China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)
Registry
COSPAR ID
2025-272A
Track
Mentions
144
All verified mentions of this spacecraft in source documents.
0.0-5.0
Actions

They inspected the fully functional Shenzhou-22 spacecraft during the spacewalk.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.5Dec 9, 2025First Shenzhou-21 Spacewalk Inspects Damaged Spacecraft, Installs Protective Hardware [SZ-21 EVA-1]

The Shenzhou-22 spacecraft will perform various experiments in life science, biotechnology, space medicine, and other fields during this time.

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GeneralValue 2.0Dec 9, 2025First Shenzhou-21 Spacewalk Inspects Damaged Spacecraft, Installs Protective Hardware [SZ-21 EVA-1]

Protective hardware for Shenzhou-20’s damaged window was delivered via Shenzhou-22 along with installation tools.

RelationshipsValue 4.0Dec 9, 2025First Shenzhou-21 Spacewalk Inspects Damaged Spacecraft, Installs Protective Hardware [SZ-21 EVA-1]

When the spacewalk occurs, routine inspections of the Tianhe, Wentian, Mengtian, and Shenzhou-22 spacecraft will be conducted.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Dec 7, 2025CMSA Doubles Down on Safety Following First Human Spaceflight Emergency

Hardware for protecting Shenzhou-20’s damaged window was delivered via Shenzhou-22.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 3.4Dec 7, 2025CMSA Doubles Down on Safety Following First Human Spaceflight Emergency

China launched the Shenzhou 22 spacecraft unmanned, originally planned for a crewed launch in April to May 2026, as an emergency measure.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Dec 3, 2025中国、宇宙船「神舟20号」を無人で帰還させる方針–デブリで損傷

Shenzhou 22 successfully docked with Tiangong on November 25.

PlanValue 4.0Dec 3, 2025中国、宇宙船「神舟20号」を無人で帰還させる方針–デブリで損傷

Engineers at the Jiuquan launch center are compressing fuel preparation timelines for Shenzhou-22.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.6Dec 1, 2025Behind the scenes, the Jiuquan launch center scrambles to ready Shenzhou-22 for launch in 16 days (normally +30). Engineers compress fuel prep timelines, juggle overlapping satellite missions, and work around the clock, without compromising quality.

Shenzhou-22 flew without astronauts.

PlanCapabilityValue 2.8Dec 1, 2025Because Shenzhou-22 flew without astronauts, the “Shenzhou-22 crew” slot will forever remain empty. The next crew will be Shenzhou-23.

Shenzhou-22 brings food and fresh produce.

CapabilityGeneralValue 1.8Dec 1, 2025Shenzhou-22 brings food, fresh produce, and a patch to help protect Shenzhou-20’s damaged window. Later, Shenzhou-20 will perform an uncrewed return to collect real-world data on how cracked structures behave during reentry.

Astronauts opened the hatch of Shenzhou-22 from the station side using keys stowed aboard years earlier.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Dec 1, 2025Nov 25: Shenzhou-22 launches uncrewed and docks with the station in just 3.5 hours. Astronauts open its hatch from the station side using keys stowed aboard years earlier — a contingency designed for exactly this nightmare scenario.

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) meticulously planned the mission structure for the Shenzhou 22.

PlanValue 3.0Dec 1, 2025China’s Shenzhou 22 rescue ship arrives at Tiangong

Engineers at the Jiuquan launch center are working around the clock to prepare for Shenzhou-22's launch without compromising quality.

PlanValue 3.2Dec 1, 2025Behind the scenes, the Jiuquan launch center scrambles to ready Shenzhou-22 for launch in 16 days (normally +30). Engineers compress fuel prep timelines, juggle overlapping satellite missions, and work around the clock, without compromising quality.

The Jiuquan launch center is preparing for the launch of Shenzhou-22 in 16 days, a timeline that is normally 30 days.

PlanGeneralValue 3.5Dec 1, 2025Behind the scenes, the Jiuquan launch center scrambles to ready Shenzhou-22 for launch in 16 days (normally +30). Engineers compress fuel prep timelines, juggle overlapping satellite missions, and work around the clock, without compromising quality.

The successful docking of the Shenzhou 22 rescue ship demonstrates China's capability for sustained human presence in space.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Dec 1, 2025China’s Shenzhou 22 rescue ship arrives at Tiangong

The slots for the crew of Shenzhou-22 will remain empty.

PlanValue 2.0Dec 1, 2025Because Shenzhou-22 flew without astronauts, the “Shenzhou-22 crew” slot will forever remain empty. The next crew will be Shenzhou-23.

Shenzhou-22 delivers a patch to help protect Shenzhou-20’s damaged window.

CapabilityPlanValue 3.0Dec 1, 2025Shenzhou-22 brings food, fresh produce, and a patch to help protect Shenzhou-20’s damaged window. Later, Shenzhou-20 will perform an uncrewed return to collect real-world data on how cracked structures behave during reentry.

The presence of the Shenzhou 22 rescue ship enhances the operational resilience of the Tiangong space station.

CapabilityGeneralValue 2.5Dec 1, 2025China’s Shenzhou 22 rescue ship arrives at Tiangong

The first option in China's backup strategy is to launch Shenzhou-22 first and then return.

PlanValue 2.5Dec 1, 2025China’s backup strategy kicks in: “打一备一,滚动备份” — launch one spacecraft, keep another ready. The choice: 1️⃣ Launch Shenzhou-22 first, then return 2️⃣ Return the astronauts first on Shenzhou-21 They choose safety: return first.

China's Shenzhou 22 rescue ship recently arrived at the Tiangong space station.

PlanValue 2.5Dec 1, 2025China’s Shenzhou 22 rescue ship arrives at Tiangong